Women in National parliaments
Situation as of 1 March 2002


Comparative data by country The data in the tables below has been compiled by the Inter-Parliamentary Union on the basis of information provided by National Parliaments by 1 March 2002. Comparative data on the percentage of women in each National Parliament as well as data concerning the two regional parliamentary assemblies elected by direct suffrage can be found on separate pages. You can use the PARLINE database to view detailed results of parliamentary elections by country. Regional parliamentary assemblies
New: you can now consult an archive of statistical data on women in National Parliaments.


World average
Both Houses combined
Total MPs41.172
Gender breakdown known for39.809
Men34.165
Women5.644
Percentage of women14,2%


Single House or lower House
Total MPs35.081
Gender breakdown known for34.021
Men29.176
Women4.845
Percentage of women14,2%
Upper House or Senate
Total MPs6.091
Gender breakdown known for5.788
Men4.989
Women799
Percentage of women13,8%

Regional averages
Regions are classified by descending order of the percentage of women in the lower or single House
Single House
or lower House
Upper House
or Senate
Both Houses
combined
Nordic countries 38,9% --- 38,9%
Europe - OSCE member countries
including Nordic countries
16,8% 14,8% 16,4%
Americas 15,7% 17,4% 16,0%
Asia 14,8% 13,0% 14,6%
Europe - OSCE member countries
excluding Nordic countries
14,7% 14,8% 14,7%
Sub-Saharan Africa 12,8% 12,8% 12,8%
Pacific 11,3% 25,9% 12,8%
Arab States 4,6% 2,5% 4,3%

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